Broadband Nation Expo 2024: it’s about internet, not fiber

With millions of Americans still without high-speed broadband connectivity options, the government has stepped in to close the digital divide to the tune of $42 billion. Now, the industry is faced with figuring out where and how that money is best spent. While fiber optics remains the gold standard in the eyes of the government and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for internet infrastructure, there’s an increasing realization that the priority should be universal connectivity whether through fiber, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) or satellite. This idea of whether getting everyone connected should take precedence over the method used was at the heart of last month’s Broadband Nation Expo 2024. 

Fiber is preferred for its high speed and scalability; however, delivering on the promise of high-speed internet access requires flexibility and diversifying which technology to deploy based on specific environments, geographies, densities and other underlying situations. Essentially, the goal is internet for all, not fiber for all.

While fiber does well in dense urban areas where infrastructure can be extended, it can be cost-prohibitive to deploy in regions with challenging terrains and low population densities. For these areas, alternative technologies like FWA and satellite might be better options in offering viable, cost-effective solutions to residents. 

FWA, for instance, leverages existing mobile infrastructure to provide broadband over radio waves, making it more scalable and affordable for rural communities. Satellite internet, while limited by latency and speed, can reach remote areas with terrain that doesn’t allow for fiber. 
One thing most agree on is that investing in a diversified, technology-agnostic approach is essential to ensure that no community is left behind in the digital age.

Participants also agreed that a future-proofing strategy must be considered and that investments should focus on adaptable and scalable solutions to meet growing data demands and population growth while accounting for ongoing maintenance and expansion. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, underscored the need for resilient and reliable communication networks like satellite that can provide critical information to residents in affected areas despite the impacts to terrestrial infrastructure. 

To ensure the efficient use of BEAD Program funding, it is important that all stakeholders involved are able to track where and what assets are deployed, along with the ability to continuously monitor them. 

Fortunately, platforms like iconectiv® TruOps® Common Language®, already exist and are used nationwide, allowing the NTIA, along with state broadband offices and communications service providers to effectively track, monitor and audit the deployment of broadband infrastructure no matter what technology supports it. This helps ensure that investments are accurately accounted for using a centralized, authoritative database of network information. 

As grantees and subgrantees prepare to put the BEAD funding to use and connect underserved communities, with first construction estimated to begin next year, there’s no time like the present to build a comprehensive plan that is considerate of all types of technology solutions and that is easily trackable and auditable across all aspects of the build from design to plan to implementation to operation. By focusing on the end goal of building broadband infrastructure with reliable, scalable and technology-agnostic solutions, a more connected nation is a vision becoming reality.